Makers mark stamp.

I

Ian Fifelski

Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Messages
528
I have been thinking about getting a makers mark. It would be a hot stamp.

I have done a couple of designs using a bare foot (Barefoot Blades) and I am happy with a few. Imgur is acting very strange for me and I cannot view any imgur pictures on here suddenly so here is a link to a hidden page on my site with some of my drawings. http://www.barefootblades.com/New-Page.html

What do you think of each and which is your favorite? (depending on price I may buy the foot and separately my name. If I can only afford one I would like to go with the foot and name.)

My question is, how small and intricate can a hot stamp be? I am planning on the logo being around (from end to end):
#1---3/4ths (do you think you won't be able to tell its a foot?)
#2---9/16ths
#3---7/8ths

If you put the images to scale, the toes are very small. Too small?

Also, any suggestions about where to get custom stamp for a good price? I think I may go with Henry Evers (everstamp) but if you know of another place with good prices let me know.

Thank you,
Ian
 
i think #1 would look better with the entire foot outline. my most narrow stamp is 9/16" wide. i have seen smaller ones so you are still in the ballpark.
 
The problem with that is that the letters and foot would overlap. Do you think I should go a bit larger and put the name inside?
 
i think it would look fine with the entire foot underneath, couldent hurt to try it and see. the info inside the foot is worth a look also.
 
You wanting to sell knives? I would make sure the info in the logo was enough to allow somebody to see the logo, and find me to order a new custom knife. Maybe name & city, state in one stamp, and the barefoot for the 2nd stamp. Perhaps just the website "barefootblades.com" and outline of foot? Name isn't needed with the website.
 
Ken H> said:
You wanting to sell knives? I would make sure the info in the logo was enough to allow somebody to see the logo, and find me to order a new custom knife. Maybe name & city, state in one stamp, and the barefoot for the 2nd stamp. Perhaps just the website "barefootblades.com" and outline of foot? Name isn't needed with the website.
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Yes I will be selling. I think having a website on a knife is tacky. Most knives, when you look up the maker, his website or info will come right up.

john april said:
i think it would look fine with the entire foot underneath, couldent hurt to try it and see. the info inside the foot is worth a look also.
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I added a picture of the name on top of the whole foot and the last letters would be pretty much unreadable on a knife. Did I misunderstand you?


I am going to ask for a quote from Henry Evers. If the price is in my range, do you think it is fine to possibly have two? like just the foot outline and the foot and name? or maybe the foot and then separately the name, being sure the name would fit inside the foot so I can use three different?
 
If you really want the foot I would do 2 stamps and put them on either side of the riccasso. Well that would work with the engraved mark. Idk if stamping would effect it
 
my henry evers stamp cost $185 about 10 years ago. might have gone up a bit. unless you are using a press, evers sells a knife stamp holder. mine was $150 but all my stamps came out much better and even than hand holding. it really stinks when you are hand sanding your riccasso and the right side of your stamp starts to become shallow compared to the left side.
 
The barefoot boy said:
I think having a website on a knife is tacky. Most knives, when you look up the maker, his website or info will come right up.
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I agree, I wouldn't want a long tacky website on blade, but since "barefootblades" is sorta your screen name (well, "boy" rather than "blades", that wouldn't look so tacky. Perhaps even leave the ".com" off - BUT, I see your name "IAN FIFELSKI" in a search will bring up your website. I think I like the name better - go for it.

BTW, being homeschooling is good - we homeschooled our girls at different times while they were growing up. They always said they could coast the first year back in public school.
 
This one place an etch would be better. A stamp displaces steel and the name will displace the outline of the foot or vice versa. I don’t think it will work out well. Even two lines of lettering can displace each other and not turn out well.
 
John L said:
This one place an etch would be better. A stamp displaces steel and the name will displace the outline of the foot or vice versa. I don’t think it will work out well. Even two lines of lettering can displace each other and not turn out well.
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Do you think if I got the name with foot stamp that it would do the same if they were on one stamp?

I could do etching but I am not sure how and not sure what you need. I know you need a stencil and an etchant but I often see something electric?
 
I cold stamp my blades, and I wouldn't recommend stamping both sides of the ricasso. If you do 2 stamps I would do the foot on the ricasso and the text horizontal below the spine.
 
I was amazed how much detail Evers van get into a tiny stamp, I don't think there would be a problem with the name and foot. I also think that one looks the best.
I would rig up a press set up to do the stamping.
 
I've never had or used a stamp. I etch. On hunting knives I etch on the ricasso, but on kitchen knives I etch on the flats as the ricasso is too narrow. Stamping the flat of a .070 knife may not be the best idea. Something to think about if you plan to make thin blades.
 
I don't plan on making kitchen knives, maybe just a few. Mostly hunters, bowies, edc and choppers. So that isn't an issue.


I can't decide on which logo to choose, I feel like I should start with the foot and name together and then when I establish myself better then use just the foot.
 
i do agree a press is better and more accurate then a stamp holder/ hammer combo. i still think you should try the entire foot outline and your name to see how it looks. the missing parts around your name make the foot look odd. i do not think you will have displacement problems as mentioned earlier.
 
With your pattern, I would really suggest getting a good etching machine and a set of stencils in three sizes. You can change things and get new.different stencils anytime and you have no loss. A pair of stamps for your name and the foot will cost more than your entire marking setup. I tend to doubt the charity of stamping the logo shown. The biggest plus is that you won't make the blade until it is almost completely done. No sanded out stamps or other issues.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
With your pattern, I would really suggest getting a good etching machine and a set of stencils in three sizes. You can change things and get new.different stencils anytime and you have no loss. A pair of stamps for your name and the foot will cost more than your entire marking setup. I tend to doubt the charity of stamping the logo shown. The biggest plus is that you won't make the blade until it is almost completely done. No sanded out stamps or other issues.
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I was just thinking the same thing. I also understand it is harder to screw up? Where do many people buy their stencils? Any comments on the knifedogs etching kit?
 
Use the custom search engine in the stickys and search stencils. There are hundreds of threads on the subject.
 
Going to be blunt, and no offense intended. Rather than a big ugly foot, I would mike it some nice characterized footprints or something. :)
 
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